2013-2014 Finish: 77-5

Season Highlight 

I think it would be fair to say that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the NLL’s first dynasty and the most successful franchise in the league’s 12 year history. The franchise’s recent successes of being the NLL’s only ever 3-peat and only ever multiple champion will forever stand the test of time.  Right now Lebron is poised to become, if he isn’t already the greatest NLL player of all-time and you would be hard pressed to find a more successful gm than the man from Jujuy, Argentina, gm alejandro either.

Season Lowlight 

Gm alejandro is not the most verbose of gms and he is hardly ever seen loitering around the forums or posting team news.  Whilst not a lowlight perse’ it would be nice to see this guy around a little more considering I am sure he has plenty of wisdom to share about how to win in the NLL with the rest of us mere mortals.

Best Trade 

The Cleveland Cavaliers made the grand sum of ZERO trades last season.

I guess you can’t blame them either.  There is nothing wrong with going with the mantra, “If it aint broke, then why fix it?”

Worst Trade 

The Cleveland Cavaliers made the grand sum of ZERO trades last season.

Other Notable Trades 

The Cleveland Cavaliers made the grand sum of ZERO trades last season.

Best FA Signing 

This is where the Cavaliers ‘killed the pig’ in the transaction market.  Relying on their winning tradition and the chance to play with LBJ, the Cavs once again played the free agency period to perfection.  With Tracy McGrady retiring and Nate Robinson opting-out the Cavs went about securing the signatures of a number of excellent role players to fill out their roster.  Including;
Shaun Livingston, Anthony Morrow, Pero Antic, Beno Udrih.  None of these guys set the world on fire but they gave the Cavs’ stars sufficient rest enabling them to come out and generally dominate the opposition at will.  

Worst FA Signing 

The Cavs had a few poor free agent signings but these guys where only ever going to be marginal contributors anyway.  They included ‘Panda Friend’, the artist formerly known as Metta World Peace who didn’t end up suiting up at all for the Cavs.  Rumours has it he has bolted for China to escape the inevitable contract offer by proid.  Other poor signings included Devin Harris and Greg Oden who also mainly through injury barely suited up for the Cavs.

Star 

Lebron James -The reality of the matter is, if you have got this guy on your team then you are probably the favourite to win the Title every year.  Although being pipped by Kevin Durant in MVP voting last season, once again LBJ pumped out a crazy season, pretty much dominating all comers at will.  It wasn’t even close as the Cavs ended up sweeping the Kings in the Finals and 3-peating.  There is really nothing you can do to match up with this guy in the NLL as he nearly averaged a triple double with 25.7 points, 10.6 assists and 8.6 rebounds.

He has been an All-Star every year of his career and been voted to the NLL first team on a number of occasions.  He is already the greatest Cavalier ever and is in the conversation for the greatest NLL player ever.  He only trails Kobe Bryant in all-time scoring, is just outside the top 25 in rebounding, 10^th in all-time assists, 15^th in blocks, 3^rd in steals and of course now has 3 NLL Titles.   

Surprise 

Andre Drummond – Not really a surprise but this guy really took a big step last season.  Drummond’s output was significant in his second season jumping up from 2.8 to 12.8 points per game and 3.9 to 12.1 rebounds per game.  He combined with Serge Ibaka to form a ridiculously athletic, defensive, rebounding big man duo – possibly the best frontcourt in the NLL, forming the perfect complement to a stud like Lebron and a crafty play maker like Tony Parker.

Goat 

When you 3-peat I think it is fair to say that there is no real goat in Cleveland unless we are talking about the G.O.A.T?!  Perhaps the closest thing to a goat would be MWP – but he wasn’t even around enough to warrant this tag.

Draft Report Card 

The Cleveland Cavaliers did not have a draft pick in 2014.

Looking to the Future 

Everything gm alejandro touches turns to gold it seems.  Lebron James did opt out of his deal but you can be 100% certain that alejandro will throw the house at him to ensure he returns.  Pay the man whatever he wants!

Unlike most teams who 3-peat and then end up being dismantled due to player age etc, looking at the Cavs’ core they are set to contend for years to come.  They are crazy good and still relatively young and in their prime with the evergreen Frenchman - Tony Parker, (32), G.O.A.T? - James, (29), defensive minded, rebounding stretch 4 - Ibaka, (24) and rebounding beast - Drummond, (21).  Who’s going to bet against them 3-peating again, (6-peat anyone?).

Team depth has never been a strength but when you have such a powerful core barring a key injury it is hard to not see the Cavs wining a lot of games in 2014/15.  A bunch of guys will likely leave in free agency but once again the lure of winning a Title is likely to bring a new batch of solid bench guys to fill out the roster again.

Upcoming Free Agents 

Lebron James – we have addressed this one already.  Don’t expect to see LBJ leaving Cleveland anytime soon folks.

Caron Butler- This is a pretty big deal for the Cavs. Butler, a 2K stud who never ages has been the perfect wing sidekick for Lebron.  Although with Terrence Ross blossoming this could be the end of the road for Caron in Cleveland since after spending on Lebron, alejandro may run out of gm points to throw at this guy.

Kevin Seraphin – Seraphin was drafted by Cleveland in 2010 and has been a serviceable big for 4 seasons now.  It is expected that he will return to Cleveland in 2014/15.

Greg Oden – the sad tale of Greg Oden looks like it won’t have a happy ending after-all as the injury plagued big man may slip off into oblivion with his playing days close to over.

Shaun Livingston – Finally healthy it seems as though Livingston is seeking a bigger pay day and more playing time than he is likely to receive in Cleveland.  Look to see him test free agency waters where there will be no shortage of possible suitors.

Devin Harris, Beno Udrih and Anthony Morrow are all free agents who are also likely to move on seeking more playing time although don’t be too surprised if the lure of a chance at another Title keeps a couple of these guys in Cleveland.

MWP – who knows where this fool will show up next.